ELECTRIC CULTIVATION IN RELATION TO HORTICULTURE. 415 



days, whereas with a C0 2 gas environment no starch is formed in the 

 three days' period. 



It is, of course, too early to measure the results of the experiments 

 during the very short periods of stimulating operation, extending over some 

 three to four hours daily for nineteen days, excluding Saturdays and Sundays, 

 making up sixty-three hours. What is certain is that the stimulating 

 tendency of the system is remarkably striking, as the photograph (fig. G8) 

 clearly shows, and it will probably have to be checked, at least for some 

 of the plants under influence. We have proof that it satisfies to a 

 great measure the conditions that a substitute for solar rays should possess 

 for application during winter months. The temperature that has been 

 maintained in the house from the thermal or heat by-products of the gas- 

 power plant was 70° F., with only 1° of difference in any part of the 

 house. 



Of course the periods of application to secure the best results can only 

 be determined by lengthy experience. 



The supervision of the plant is well within the capacity of any 

 intelligent labourer, and the apparatus can be safely left for three to four 

 hours without risk. 



Obviously the system can be applied throughout the twenfcy-four hours 

 to several glass houses in succession, so that allowing three hours' period 

 on twenty-four hours it will be possible to at least electrify eight houses, 

 50 feet long by 10 feet in width. It would of course be necessary to 

 employ, as an auxiliary only, the ordinary hot-water heating arrangements 

 in the winter months. 



APPENDIX I. 



Lemstrom's Experiments. 

 Strawberries. Potatos. 

 England . . 370 per cent, increase England . 31 per cent. 

 Germany . 50*1 „ „ Germany . 13*8 „ 



Watering increases the acceleration enormously. 



An increase of 12*3 per cent, is recorded in growth of Carrots, 

 40-7 „ „ „ Oats, 



„ 19*5 „ „ „ Rye. 



APPENDIX II. 



Lemstrom. 

 1003. 



Increase per cent. 



Country. 



Barley. 



Sugar Beets. 



Potatos. 



Increase per cent, of Sugar 

 Beets. 



Absolute. | Relative. 





Per cent. 



Per cent. 



Per cent. 



Per cent. Per cent. 



Poland .... 



325 



79-7 



7-6 



10 72 



England 





49-6 



G5*5 



0-7 8-4 



Sweden 



401 



- 



6-2 



4-8 



1-9 13-4 



